Unselfish service
by Christy K. Robinson
The following article appeared in the spring/summer 1998 Loma Linda University DENTISTRY journal, and is edited and updated here.
"Why me?" The announcement that he would be named the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry's 1998 Alumnus of the Year came as a "shock and surprise" to Ron Forde, SD'83, a dentist who, with his family, ministered to the people of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
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| Dr. Ron Forde |
Ron Forde and his wife, Dorothy Sinclair Forde, RN, were missionaries to Zaire (six years) and Zimbabwe since his graduation from the School of Dentistry. He directed the Adventist Dental Practice in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, a city of over a million people.
The statements on Dr. Forde's 1978 application to the School of Dentistry indicated his sense of Christian service: "I would like to be involved in medical ministry;" and "I sincerely believe that unselfish service to one's fellow man is the most honorable way... to live one's life, and that such a life is the most pleasing to God."
Ron Forde was born in Barbados, and Dorothy in Jamaica. They met in Montreal (they are Canadian citizens now), and studied at Oakwood College in Alabama. During their years in Loma Linda, 1979-1983, Dorothy worked as a neonatal intensive care nurse at LLU Medical Center while Ron studied dentistry.
Speaking of their practice in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, the Fordes said, "The Adventist Dental Practice is involved in smoking cessation programs, and is trying to expand community health."
Bulawayo is a modern city with good infrastructure, roads, electrical supply, and drinking water. "It's very nice to live there," says Mrs. Forde. "It's pretty much in touch with the lifestyles of the rest of the world."
Her husband says, "The people there expect Western health services, as far as dentistry is concerned. We have an expectation to provide the kind of dentistry that the modern world has access to. We have to be able to keep our equipment up to date, materials and supplies current, our facilities brightly lit, and clean."
Zimbabwe is about the size of California in land area, with 12 million in population, and about 260,000 Seventh-day Adventists.
With racial tensions high in some countries on the African continent, one might wonder where or if the Fordes, African-Americans, fit in.
"Really, it's three different cultures in one country," says Dr. Forde. "The Blacks have their world, the Coloreds [racially mixed people and East Indians] have their own, and the Whites have their own. We are a group unto ourselves, because from the African point of view, they see Black Americans more as White. It's a very interesting social phenomenon."
He continues: "We have been from the West Indies to Canada to the U.S. to Africa ñ all over. We have found that when people recognize that we have a different accent, people are attracted, and they have questions for us. They want to share with us. That's a nice opening. There's more conversation to follow. The patients are very interested. If you're from outside their culture, their society, they're more willing to share their views and tell us what they think, than they would with a local. They trust us because we're foreigners! We are Canadian by nationality, but our kids were born here [in the United States], so they hold dual citizenship. Most of our furloughs are spent here, rather than in Canada. It's hard to pin us down. We feel West Indian, we feel Canadian, we feel American, we feel African. It all gets under your skin. We are world people. You have to plan to gain your real citizenship in Heaven."
The Fordes predicted their move back to the United States in 1999, and so it happened. "I want to get back into [dental] practice," says Dr. Forde. "Dorothy misses [working in] the neonatal intensive care unit. Our children are 19, 18, and 13. The oldest one wants to do biochemistry, and go into medicine."
Why Ron Forde as 1998 Alumnus of the Year? When did he and his family see Jesus, sick, or in prison, or naked, or hungry? Why, every day for the last 16 years. Well done, good and faithful servants!
They're back!
Upon their return to the United States and Loma Linda, the Ron Forde family is starting life over again.
"Midlife crisis will have to wait!" laughs Dr. Forde.
For now, the family of five is living in an apartment while they search for a house. Their furniture and other belongings are still in Zimbabwe, awaiting transport by container ship, which would take about eight to 10 weeks in transit. They're looking for an automobile and re-establishing their credit. They're visiting area churches to get a feel for their new home, but enjoying the temporary rest from duties that anonymity affords.
Dr. Forde has taken up duties here as assistant professor of restorative dentistry, and director of service learning programs.
"We want to expand the number of sites available for students to serve," says Dr. Forde. "There are eight or 10 requests for the School of Dentistry to set up satellite clinics. We want to serve the community, and involve more students. This year, over 70 students have gone out locally and around the world. Students come back very enthusiastic. We want every student to have the opportunity to work as a caregiver. I will also have some duties in clinic, teaching dentistry."
Dorothy Forde has accepted a nursing position in NICU, her old job at the LLU Medical Center. She is also continuing studies in nursing administration through the University of South Africa.
Shana, 19, has finished a year at Oakwood College and is transferring to La Sierra Univeristy to be closer to her family. Tony, 18, is entering grade 12, and Kim, 13, is entering eighth grade, both at Loma Linda Academy.
There are a number of adjustments to be made, particularly social ones, says Dr. Forde. "Dorothy and I are missing our friends from church and work, the last 10 years in Zimbabwe. There's a sense of abandonment of patients, although you feel the kind words they gave when parting. The children are missing their friends, who are all in Africa. Their relatives in America are not the same age."
Still, Dr. Forde says that the Lord brought the family to Loma Linda, and he's ready to do God's work.
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February 28, 2001
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